Jerusalem Post: Jewish organizations in Russia may be recognized as foreign agents

Multiple Russian Jewish organizations have received threatening letters from the Russian Justice Ministry regarding their work in recent weeks, similar to the letter received by the Jewish Agency earlier this month, Report informs, citing the Jerusalem Post.

The Jerusalem Post has learned that a few Jewish organizations operating in Russia are in a similar situation to the Jewish Agency, which has received a letter from the Russian government, stating that it may be considered to be a foreign agent, which could result in their organization being forcibly closed down.

One of the organizations responded to the Post's request for comment and sent a statement claiming that "there is no change in our work in Russia." However, the Israeli newspaper believes that these organizations, mainly kept in operation by American or Israeli funds, have decided to lower their profile and only do work that is necessary or urgent.

Jewish organizations that are considered to be local, without any foreign funding or influence haven't received similar letters and can continue to operate freely - even though many of them are still choosing to keep a very low public profile.

Russian-Jewish sources explained on Monday that the Jewish Agency in Russia has been under close surveillance for many years now.

The Russian government earlier ordered the Jewish Agency to cease all operations inside the country. The order was given in a letter received from the Russian Justice Ministry.

"The forced closure of the Jewish Agency's offices in Russia will have a serious impact on Israel-Russia relations," Prime Minister Yair Lapid warned on Sunday.